Case-control study, 1991
How common are premenstrual symptoms in teenage girls, and what factors affect them?
80% of teenage girls had at least one premenstrual symptom, with 25% experiencing pain that severely interfered with daily activities. Symptoms varied by ethnic background and smoking.
What they did
Surveyed 545 Israeli girls aged 16 to 21 about premenstrual symptoms and period pain and examined which biological, behavioral, and social factors were linked to these symptoms.
What they found
80% commonly experienced at least one premenstrual symptom. 70% experienced menstrual pain, and 25% reported pain that severely interfered with daily activities during the last three cycles. Premenstrual symptoms and menstrual pain were positively associated. Oral contraceptive use appeared to reduce menstrual pain. Among smokers with menstrual pain, heavier smokers experienced more pain. Girls of Asian or African ethnic origin reported higher perimenstrual distress than those of Israeli or Western origin.
What it means for you
Premenstrual symptoms are common in teenage girls. Birth control, ethnicity, and smoking may affect symptom severity. The main limit is this studied only Israeli girls, so findings may not apply to other populations.
80%
girls with at least one premenstrual symptom
70%
girls with menstrual pain
25%
girls with pain severely interfering with daily activities
About the study
- Original title
- Prevalence and correlates of perimenstrual symptoms: a study of Israeli teenage girls
- Authors
- Shye D, Jaffe B
- Journal
- The Journal of adolescent health : official publication of the Society for Adolescent Medicine
- Year
- 1991
- Study design
- Case-control study
- Participants
- 545
- What was tested
- None (observational study)
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/0197-0070(91)90014-d
Topics
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